Research Software Engineer

About the role:

There is an exciting opportunity for a Research Software Engineer to join The Hydrology and Water Resources research group led by Professor Wouter Buytaert in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The group produces world-leading research on global water security, with a specific interest in novel sensing technologies, polycentric systems for data production, citizen science, and the co-production of hydrological knowledge. The team manages an extensive global network of collaborators in academia, industry, civil society, and policy.

The role involves developing a digital research infrastructure to support innovative approaches to environmental data collection and analysis, including pervasive sensor networks, participatory monitoring, citizen science, and the assimilation of local expert knowledge using artificial intelligence. Working closely with researchers in the group and collaborating with teams across Imperial, as well as UK and international partners, the successful candidate will play a key part in advancing these initiatives. They will also collaborate with Imperial’s Research Software Engineers (RSE) team, based within the Research Computing Service (RCS).

This is a full-time fixed term contract for 2 years.

What you would be doing:

• You will engage with members of the research group and their collaborators to build reliable, usable, and maintainable research software.
• You will also identify user requirements and deliver solutions that meet those needs.
• Collaboratively selecting appropriate technology and system architecture will be a key responsibility.
• You will employ best-practice approaches to software engineering, including testing, issue tracking, and version control, and assist with deployment and maintenance.
• Documenting software, communicating progress effectively, staying up to date with technical developments, promoting team activities, delivering training, and actively participating in the RSE community are also important aspects of the role.

What we are looking for:

• You will have a degree or equivalent experience, preferably in a technical discipline.
• Experience of full-cycle software development is essential, including design, implementation, and deployment.
• You will have demonstrable knowledge of at least one language commonly used for research computing (e.g., Python, C++, Fortran, R, or Matlab).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, along with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• You will also have a serious commitment to software quality, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively.

What we can offer you:

We are proud to support our staff with:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity
• Grow in your career with tailored training programmes for academic staff including mentoring and dedicated support with navigating your career and managing research as well as a transparent promotion process.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes)

Further Information

Further information can be found in the job description.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Professor Wouter Buytaert w.buytaert@imperial.ac.uk.

Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to Lucy Chivers at l.chivers@imperial.ac.uk.

For technical issues when applying online please email sjobs@ic.ac.uk.